Fresh off an 11-inning victory last night, the Nationals are back in action tonight against the woebegone Astros, who yesterday managed to lose reliever Sergio Escalona for the season after he stepped on a coach's glove during BP and then lost the game on an error by third baseman Jimmy Paredes.

John Lannan takes the mound for the Nats, in search of his career-high 10th win. If he does it, Lannan would become only the sixth pitcher in Nationals history to reach that modest milestone. The others: Livan Hernandez (15 in 2005, 10 in 2010), Esteban Loaiza (12 in 2005), Ramon Ortiz (11 in 2006), Tyler Clippard (11 in 2010) and Tim Redding (10 in 2008). Quite an illustrious list there.

Lannan will be opposed by Wandy Rodriguez, a tough left-hander in his own right in search of his 11th win.

As soon as you label a team woebegone then you know they will destroy us. You sounds like Carpenter, Mark. Yes, last year a reliever had more wins than any other pitcher, that's how we rolled.Time to change things up at this point. Lannan is the only one with a chance since every other starter from this year is either gone, bullpenned or done for the year. Go LannEn! Any chance Wandy will be a Nat next year?

gonats – I have heard several rumors about Wandy but nothing from a reporter of merit (such as Mark). I have to believe his contract is not helping him. As I remember, he has several years left and its up there past Marquis numbers.That would be interesting having LannEn, Rodriguez and Detwiler all in the starting 5. I wonder what other teams have had 3 lefties in their top 5. Mr Cox – for a team that is just 6 years old and was totally screwed by Major League baseball, what would you expect? A twenty game winner? Cy Young? I am really getting tired of people getting on here and just blasting away. Next year when JZimm has 15+ wins and SS has 12 to 14 along with LannEn that will be the start and it will only get better. Just remember that two years ago we had back to back 100 loss seasons. It was and is rough but its getting better. Rather than look at the glass half empty why don't you try seeing us as a team on the rise. I have a better idea, drink whatever is in the glass and go root for the Orioles, I am sure they need positive fans like you.

Just watched the very end of the Cubs-Mets game. Each closer tried to lose it for his team. Mets' closer succeeded. A comment by one of the announcers got me to thinking: Just what are the players — individually and collectively — playing for at this point in the season, once their teams are out of contention?To be clear, I don't think anyone has given up and isn't playing hard (at least on the Nats). But is it just personal, professional pride? Is it stats driven? In the case of the Nats, in particular, do the players really care whether they finish 3rd or 4th in the division (instead of last)? Or, like the management folks, are they already in a mode where they're just getting ready for next year?As a fan, I never expected them to make the playoffs, but I was hoping for a 82-80 record. As that became less and less likely, I switched to the hope that they would finish third in their division. But does that have any meaning to a pro athlete? Should it?

Eugene, In my opinion it means squat. Winning each individual game should be the driving force for the players; finishing .500 is significant; doing better than last year is desirable but winning 75 games or 76 games is really not that big of a deal. IMO; this team was never destined to contend or play .500 this year. Not with Ankiel and Nix playing every day, not with 3 rookies or near rookies playing every day and not with pitchers like Marquis, Gorzelany etc. in the rotation. Good times are coming. JZimm was great and should get better, SS is a true ace, Harper is a real superstar in the making and the crop of draftees from this year along with A.J Cole from last year are all potential front end major leaguers. I see a team that should be at or close to .500 in 2012 and really leap into contention in 2013.

JD, I think teams can have no aces like the Nats of years past and I also think like the Phillies this year can have multiple Aces.JZim is an Ace and Strasburg should be. This Purke kid and AJ Cole are 2 future aces to keep an eye on.

Mark'd, Teams can have no ace but they can also lose very often. I think that the expectations from Purke may be a little over blown. Scouts who watched him this year say he rarely threw over 90; I know he had an injury issue but he's definitely a work in progress. Meyer may be a more realistic prospect than Purke. We just need to be patient because other than JZimm and SS no one will have an impact in 2012.

JD, not true, a well picked Free Agent can help in 2012 and it doesn't have to be a #1 or #2. I like Wandy except Houston wants 3 prospects, no thanks. This year Free Agent market will have some intriguing names. Any trades Rizzo does will erode the stockpile of prospects and the team has to wait for July 2012 in case they are buyers at the Trade Deadline.

Wandy's contract, $10.5M in 2012, $13.5M in 2013, then in 2014, $2.5M if you release him or $15.5M if you keep him for 2015.Yeah, that's a bit pricey. Especially if he costs prospects as well.Is Wandy certain to hold down a spot for the next two years? There's no reason to commit $26.5M if he's not certain to be worthy of being in the rotation.Last 3 years, about 195 innings, 3.40 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, .250 BAA. He pitches in a hitters's park, but for the most part, like most SP's, he's better at home than on the road. He ain't a big innings eater really, going about 6.1 innings per start, which is good, but not $13M a year good.In general, I think it's fair to say he's should be considered a step above Lannan, but below JZimm and Strasburg. So, he'd cost prospects in trade, plus $13M a year. I'd be OK if we did it for some low-moderate prospect(s), but I can't see forking over real prospects and $13M a guy like Wandy.

Sunderland, you nailed it on Wandy "I think it's fair to say he's should be considered a step above Lannan, but below JZimm and Strasburg. So, he'd cost prospects in trade, plus $13M a year."Wandy is more a guy you would go after on July 31st if he was having an even better season and the Nats were truly in the Playoff hunt in 2012. This team should not be trading any prospects until you know you are a Playoff Team.

I remember a discussion during the off-season that the Nats were horrible in 2010 in extra inning games. The most dramatic turnaround in the Nats record is extra inning games. They were a pathetic/awful 3-10 in 2010 and now after last night are 11-7 this year with a MLB leading 12 walk-off WINS!

As to the question of what the players are playing for at this point: I do not believe that professional athletes only play for trophies and pennants – it's just not in their natures. I think they are probably very competitive in their personal lives and try to win at checkers against their grandfathers.If I am a fan with a whole entire life that is not related to baseball and I want them to win every single game, then I can't even imagine having worked so hard to be a major leaguer and not caring if you win or lose. I think they could be 150 -10 and they would try to win those last 2 games. I think athletes can get tired, discouraged, burned out, but I still think they try with whatever energy they have left. When they don't care anymore, they should get out of professional sports.

As far as winning this year goes.. I think RZim said it best.. Winning and closing good are somethings they can build upon for next year. Remember, this team is build for 2012 and beyond. I like the kids getting tested.. Glad Davey is letting Peacock have a start. I also think almost 60% of our team is auditioning for next year. The only guaranteed spot is RZim, Werth, Ramos, Morse, JZNN, Stras, LannEn, Clip, Storen – and Lord knows they would trade LannEn, Clip and Storen. I love Danny, but he has struggled – that could be just because he never played this much. Desi may finally be putting it together, but again.. he needs consistency. The rest of the bullpen needs to be figured out, and all other position players need it as well. We need to figure out who we want to keep and who can be used as trade bait.And NO.. I do not WANDY. I think if we are paying that price for a starter, he should be at least a #3.. not someone that is on that scrap heap of a team that they call the Astros – he maybe their #1, but on any contending team, he would be a 4/5

Mark.. thanks for the info on the security for tomorrow.. I am going to the game (taking the spoiled nephew to the game to see Stras). I normally bring food and water, so at least I know what I am up against tomorrow!

I am no Espinosa hater or Desmond fanatic. I just find it interesting that not many people are knocking Espi for his poor hiting since the all star break like they did Desmond b4 the break. Is it because what he did prior to the break was so amazing that it would take a lot more sucking for people to begin criticizing him or is it because his fielding has still remained superb even during his his prolonged slump?

Anon 6:20, I think it is because a perception is easier to build and harder to change (first impressions are the most important).Not many were ever fully sold on Desi, and so he is easy to write off. But many fully bought in on Espinosa by June of this season, and so they have a harder time letting go.

Anon 6:20 -cant speak for others, but imo the difference between espi and desi is that espi has at least had some sustained periods where he showed he could play at a very high level. He has not been able to sustain it for the whole season, but at his best this year he was a plus player both on offense and defense. Desmond, otoh, hasnt shown that — last yezr his defense was lousy and his offense was decent' for a MI, and this year his defene was better (tho not great) and his ofense was lousy. So i dont think he's shown much to indicate that he's ever goinbg o be much above average, whereas i have hope that espi can be well above avg.

I know much is made of BUILDING when ever anything is mentioned about this team but WHEN do you say the building is taking shape …..so far the foundation is not even complete and everybody is judging on parts that have not arrived and as of yet have not supported a thing …the corner stone is symbolic the building should be more then that …ever tried to rent to a corner stone?

wow, CB – that was really deep. All I know is — Michael Morse is not an outfielder! He is a decent first baseman who is playing left field to make room for someone that may or may not be able to make it back after shoulder surgery, and for a rookie who has been playing there pretty much every day. He is costing the team runs and he knows it and so it will affect his hitting – we have seen this movie before in April. I didn't like the movie then and I don't like it now. As a matter of fact, I really, really , really don't like watching him play out there! ok – sorry about the tantrum, but I can't be the only one that feels this way!

THIS IS BEYOND ALL THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO THIS TEAM IN THE LAST 8 YEARS ……THIS IS THE LOW POINT ……….not on any level can you explain the this game …… this is what despair feels like in sport …..you wanted to know how far the team has improved …..WELL IT HAS NOT IMPROVED AT ALL …..AT ALL …you lose to this team now 6!!!!!!! to 0 you my friend have serious issues

And now you have to put up with the Happy Happy joy joy talk of the MASN broadcast team and everytime I hear Debbie Taylor I want to throw things big and heavy at my TV ….can we at least get someone better next year I have had it with MISS SALLY happy happy

This is what the baseball gods do to you when you brag about how the other team gave you a game the night before with their mistakes, and how awful the other team is. It turns right around on you. The reverse lock is now in effect. And –CB — I agree with you about Debbie Taylor – she is absolutely terrible. But if she talks to John Lannan tonight and asks him how that felt, he will just kill her.

They should be ashamed of what they have produced ….this is not good enough to beat 3 of their Minor League teams …..and really the more I think of the excuse machine that will be turned on later the more anger it produces ……someone if they cared at all should have busted up something and publicly …..really it does not win games but does show you are alive

I really wonder if the guys in the dugout believe they can win this game. They are all sitting around, no talking , no encouraging – no leadership at all. I would love to see a comeback — just for them to see that they can. But they have to believe they can and dig in.

I think that anyone who gets that upset and uses that many capital letters in a season that has 162 games needs to take a deep breath and just relax – Baseball has ebbs and flows and this has not been pretty but my god, its just one of many poor games we have played this year and I can bet that if you followed the Phillies or Braves you would find one or two games just like this. Problem is, we play ten or 15 of these.My suggestion to CB is to maybe start to follow the Wizards (wait that won't work) or the Redskins (oops not good), the Mystics (nope last place again) oh how about DC United (oh, they are not doing well either)OK, I guess its either the Nationals or bust.

Shairon Martis for Harrisburg in the Playoff game is great again. His final line: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 9 Ks, 111 pitches.Martis has had 1 bad start in his last 2 months. I am not saying he could be a prospect but I also think this kid is not to be thrown away and SteveM texted me that his sources say the Nats will probably let him walk after the season rather than add him back to the 40 man.Who knows what will happen. I just see a player who could have at the very least trade value. That no-hitter was 2 starts ago. A 1 hitter in 7 in a MiLB playoffs is impressive also.Martis has moved his velocity up to 92-94 on his 4 seamer in the Minors and added a good changeup.While I would say I would be surprised if they cut him loose, I would also say nothing this organization does any more surprises me.BTW, in Nats form, Rafael Martin comes in and blows Martis win now 2-2.

Our minor league teams have been making playoffs for several years now. Does being called up actually kill their winning buzz? Even Johnny Gomes, who came from another team, seemed to have some fire and now he looks just as flat as the others do.

No I am getting ready for the Capitals season to start… I am fully aware of how many games a season takes and have now sat through almost 7 full seasons …..YOU DO NOT LOSE TO THIS TEAM IF YOU HAVE IMPROVED AS A TEAM ….;but when this season is over we get on to the one winning team in town

For what its worth, anything we can do to get rid of Debbie Taylor would be productive in my mind. Her inane questions are horrible but maybe even worse is the same stupid grin and head turn that she uses no matter what she is reporting on.The real Sunshine Bobby is also on the way out and we can only hope to do a little better with our next broadcaster.

That foul ball by Flores missed by inches! And — the rookie shows the most intelligent approach at the plate. Zim and Morse can't do it alone. You're going to be clutch like Marrero was – people in high places will remember your name.

Those looking forward to next season without Carpenter are likely shortchanging how incredibly hard the Nationals have made his job over the years. Calling 150+ games a year, when the team is playing poorly and losing them in bunches, is just downright difficult. If Carpenter had a few winning seasons to broadcast, he'd likely have a bunch more fans, and a contract extension.

On a "please talk me down from the edge" note — it was nice to see Peacock and Lombardozzi getting their minor league player-of-the-year awards. They both seem like nice, intelligent, hard-working kids. I was surprised that Peacock got the pitcher award but Milone has been the favorite when it comes to getting starts in the majors.

Sunshine took over from Mel Proctor …who nobody saw much of because Angelos has had the broadcast held hostage from day one and only half the games were even seen … at first I thought he was ok just not real informed about what it means to be here in DC ….well after all this time I still think he has very little idea of who and what DC is as a city … his HR call can miss the moment so many times….. the best is Charlie …..I mean Sunshine no harm but it maybe time to move on …I have heard that Jon Miller is a possible replacement

With the understanding that Peacock did a bunch of his pitching at AA, he was clearly more deserving than Milone.Record:Peacock 15 -3Milone 12 – 6ERA:Peacock 2.39Milone 3.22BAA:Peacock .118Milone .241K/9:Peacock 10.86Milone 9.41K/BB Ratio:Peacock 3.77Milone 9.69

I know we have conceded the game when we pinch hit a guy who has never had a major league hit.If we were really trying, there are people on the bench who could probably do better – well maybe. This is obviously just a way to get him another at bat and not a way to try to win the game. It's a shame, because Flores could have been starting a rally against a pitcher who is not really very good – well usually he is not very good. Against us he probably will be.

Another issue on the media front is large use of Phil Woods on both the TV and Radio ….while I know he know his stuff in baseball and DC baseball he is to dismissive of any observation that is a complaint about the team until he is ready to declare the issue valid. So the call in show after the game is only a lot of trips down memory lane or hey what about so and so in the minors and never gets down the pain and suffering ….I guess he is just doing Angelos dirty work

I think the problem with Phil Wood is that he is just so smart and has such an encyclopedic mind that he really thinks everyone is interested in lots of facts and details. He just has so much crammed in his head. Now, Mike Wallace — what an interesting guy, huh? His sole comment is that things aren't like the old-school days. Not exactly photogenic either. I cannot watch him or listen to him. The real problem is the Peter Angelos owning MASN and the Nats coverage because he blackmailed major league baseball. It's just a very bad situation.

MASN only has one show on about the Nats …only ONE they have hours of broadcast time and manage only ONE ….NO Hot Stove ….No Meet the Team …..NO Spring Training ……..if you watch the channel in those hours not a game it is all BALTYMURE HUH …..John Riggins is so football even if they have a curly W behind him it does not count as a Nats show …and that Mid Atlantic report well a Nat has to kill somebody before they mention them and then it is always in comparison to BALTYMURE I have seen other teams channel coverage and it is nothing compared to how the Nats get treated

Have you ever seen the Saturday morning Nationals show from 10- 12? It is Phil Wood pontificating and Mike Wallace (gag). There are no production values – they look like they are sitting in someone's basement. There are no clips or replays, no interviews. They lecture a lot, especially if a caller disagrees with them. It is the worst. And don't get me started with 106.7 the Fan – they don't know anything about the Nats and all they talk about is the redskins. Awful.

We are not a very good baseball team right now, are we? If we had played like this the whole year, we would right down there with the 'stros, who are, by the way, beating us soundly. sigh…….. Coffey, oy.Now it's Slaten's turn. But, let's remember, Coffey put one guy one by plunking him.

Here is a question what if any area of measure has this team improved from last year ….I can not really find any yet …and the record is now in doubt …..but no starting pitcher with a winning record on the staff ….lead the league in blown saves ….avg is bottom …..errors ?? and the player stats ….only Morse is better then last year

Of all the damn things we have to worry about, why does anyone give a rat's rear end about Debbie? She has not struck out, made an error, blown a save or struck out with the bases loaded. Get real, people. When we start groaning about the broadcast team, we're at a real low spot.

Did anybody hear what they said in the booth about SS not being on a pitch count tomorrow? Would Rizzo really let Davey loose and risk blowing out his arm? Sure – I would love to see him stay in there and get a win, but is it worth the risk at this point? There are lots of smart doctors who have figured this thing out.

There is the weird illogical thinking that the Nats are "moving in the right direction" toward some fixed position…when the reality is the Phillies and Braves are moving, fast, to improve every single day. They are moving faster than we are.I would say the Phils and Braves have 1 or 2 pathetic, desultory, lifeless, anemic, who cares?, phone-it-in, run out the string losses this year. The Nats have 20 or 25. We really do suck, people.We are # 2 of 30 teams in strikeouts, and I believe we can top the moribund Padres and take the # 1 spot this year. DOES ANYONE CARE HOW FEW BALLS WE PUT IN PLAY? I say "Forget the 'We're moving in the right direction' BS and demand that the Nationals put the ball in play." I'm sorry, folks, all Redskins/Nationals hype aside, we suck.More bad news: we are a low-baseball-IQ team. Our players do dumb things, on offense, defense, on the bases, that smart teams do not do. I like having our Minor League Pitcher/Player of the Year there tonight; it gives me a sense of ceremony and pomp and circumstance. But it does not change the fact that the Nationals have a "dumb" culture.Finally, the tendency to choke at the plate, with runners on base, has been imprinted deep, deep, into this team's DNA, and it will be decades before that DNA-based behavior changes.

Well. I was at the game. While it was no fun losing that way, it's much more amusing to read this game thread. This is one game out of a long season. This Nats team will end up with a better record than they had last year. This one awful game is not a sign of the apocalypse.A couple of thoughts: over 30,000 people came out this evening to watch a bad team play a team that has lately been disappointing. I think we all know that the year will come (soon) when the Nats are playing winning baseball. When that time comes, the place will be hard to get into, and it will be rocking.Tonight I was sitting (for the first time) out underneath the scoreboard, above center field. It was not bad at all. It was certainly a different look at the game than I usually have from 313.The only persistent complaint I have about the Nats Park experience is the absolutely abhorrent job they do of running the scoreboard. I had never seen both of the ribbon boards throughout the game. Sometimes they show extended batter, and sometimes they show a line score with what the man at bat has done in the current game.Can anybody tell me why they would show a line score for a pinch hitter who has never yet done anything in the game? More than once I wanted to know what a new batter's average was, but instead I got a line score showing that he hadn't done anything yet in the game.Well, duh.

That is to say, sometimes the ribbon boards show extended batter statistics. It's late, and I am doing a bad job editing what I wrote.But the operation of the scoreboards really does remain confusing and inscrutable at times.

In fact, it was Corey Brown's stats I was eager to see. I couldn't recall whether he had been at bat in a game this week. Instead, I saw a strip of numbers showing all the innings, Brown's name beside it, with no information for any inning. Was that supposed to tell me something? I knew he had just come into the game, because Jerome-the-PA-man had just told me so.

Not a good game to be at, but c'mon people, it's One Game. The only thing worse than the play in the 3rd inning were the hometown "fans". I almost got into fisticuffs with the BooBirds in my section. They seemed to really enjoy kicking a good guy, and a good pitcher, who is struggling through a really bad inning. It's so much fun booing "your" team? My "SHUT UP" did seem to quiet them. I'm not sure if they were misplaced Philly fans, or just practicing for the Redskins, but I hope they stop coming to games. Disgusting behavior, and with their kids in tow; some lessons for the young ones.

Bzl – I think the booing is a frustrated reaction to several months of bad baseball culminating in an inning of horrible baseball. It's not about Lannan. As one of the posters said above – the Nats really are not playing like a very good team, and have not for months. All the talk about improvement aside, and next year, etc….. What are your eyes telling you? What does the product look like on the field? Booing fans are telling the whole franchise, top to bottom, what they see is not acceptable and needs to change. I hope they all heard it and come to the park today wanting to do something about it.